6.
Next day Quinctius, causing his men to carry palisades with them, that they might be ready to encamp on any spot, marched forward a short way, and took post about six miles from Pherae;
[2]
whence he sent scouts to discover in what part of Thessaly the king was, and what appeared to be his intention.
[3]
Philip was then near Larissa, and as soon as he learned that the Roman general had removed from Thebes, being equally impatient for a decisive engagement, he proceeded towards the enemy, and pitched his camp about four miles from Pherae.
[4]
On the day following, some light troops went out from both camps, to seize on certain hills, which overlooked the city. When, nearly at equal distance from the [p. 1445]summit which was intended to be seized, they came within sight of each other, they halted;
[5]
and sending messengers to their respective camps for directions, how they were to proceed on this unexpected meeting with the enemy, waited their return in quiet.
[6]
For that day, they were recalled to their camps, without having commenced any engagement. On the following day, there was a battle between the cavalry, near the same hills, in which the Aetolians bore no small part; and in which the king's troops were defeated, and driven into their camp.
[7]
Both parties were greatly impeded in the action, by the ground being thickly planted with trees; by the gardens, of which there were many in a place so near the city; and by the roads being enclosed between walls, and in some places shut up.
[8]
The commanders, therefore, were equally desirous of removing out of that quarter; and, as if by a preconcerted scheme, they both directed their route to Scotussa: Philip with the hope of getting a supply of corn there; the Roman intending to get before the enemy and destroy the crops.
[9]
The armies marched the whole day without having sight of each other in any place, the view being intercepted by a continued range of hills between them.
[10]
The Romans encamped at Eretria, in Phthiotis; Philip, on the river Onchestus. But though Philip lay at Melambius, in the territory of Scotussa, and Quinctius near Thetidium, in Pharsalia, neither party knew with any certainty where his antagonist was.
[11]
On the third day, there first fell a violent rain, which was succeeded by darkness equal to that of night, and this confined the Romans to
[12??]
their camp, through fear of an ambuscade.
Livy. History of Rome by Titus Livius, books twenty-seven to thirty-six. literally translated, with notes and illustrations, by. Cyrus Edmonds. York Street, Covent Garden, London. Henry G. Bohn. John Child and son, printers, Bungay. 1850. 3.
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